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The Office for Healthcare Workforce Analysis and Planning in South Carolina estimates a 40% grown in employment for PAs between 2008 and 2018.

Currently, the Medical University of South Carolina offers the only PA program in the state of South Carolina. Two new PA programs, both offering Master’s degrees, are expected to launch in South Carolina within the next 3 years.

Francis Marion University will offer a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies beginning in August 2016. The program expects to graduate 25-30 students each year.

North Greenville University, partnered with Greenville Health System, expects to launch a Master of Medical Science Physician Assistant program in January 2017. The program plans to begin with 32 students.

According to the 2014 South Carolina Health Professions Data Book, approximately 25% of PAs in South Carolina have primary practice sites in Charleston County. With the addition of PA programs in the Upstate and Pee Dee areas, more South Carolina patients can benefit from the care provided by PAs.

About SCAPA’s ASPIRE Program?

The ASPIRE Program is designed for students interested in becoming PAs and there are 171 current members.

In 2014, SCAPA added an ASPIRE Committee to manage this growing program.

The ASPIRE Committee is organizing quarterly lectures and panel discussions.

During the recent SCAPA CME Conference, the ASPIRE Committee presented a panel discussion titled 'Becoming a PA' to over 30 aspiring PAs.

Quarterly emails are sent to members advising them of timely preparations for the PA school application process.

As licensees of the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners, Physician Assistants are eligible for assistance in addiction therapy through Recovering Professional Program (RPP).

Self-referrals to RPP are confidential and not reported to Board of Medical Examiners.

Resources are available 24 hours a day by calling 1-877-349-2094.

SCAPA appoints a representative to serve on the Physicians Advocacy & Assistance Committee, a committee of the South Carolina Medical Association tasked with ensuring resources are available to professionals seeking assistance with addiction recovery.

The Mission of the South Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants is to promote quality, cost effective, and accessible healthcare through the professional and clinical development of physician assistants in the state of South Carolina.